Month: March 2017

The Daily Paine

by Ira Paine, Posted on

Knowledge is the illumination we receive that makes ignorance disappear.”
–Clement of Alexandria

“In the realization of the nearness of our God we shall find strength for all He is calling us to do.”
–G. Campbell Morgan

Once in a while I do some real pondering. Believe it or not it is true. Sometimes it causes be to scratch my head and look around in wonder. I was doing a little study last week, and though I pondered this thought before, it came upon me again. Thoughts can be rascally. 
Before I go on with my thought I want to set this question before you. Why is it so hard for us to trust God to rule in every area of our lives? There may be several answers but I want to give you one to ponder; let your mind do some working; it might need some exercise. I think it is because we are afraid we won’t like the trail He has chosen for us?
“Ah, ah, wait a minute,” I’m reading your brain waves. We have free will and we can do as we please. And I will answer, “Yes, absolutely”. However, are we not to totally give ourselves unto the Lord? Are we not the “temple of the Holy Ghost”? Are we not to be a “living sacrifice”? I have noticed that in the last several years the most often quoted and most often used Scripture among people, especially young people is found in Jeremiah. Yep, you got it.

“I knew you before I formed you in your mother’s womb. Before you were born I set you apart and appointed you as my prophet to the nations.” (1:9,HCSB)

“‘For I know the plans I have for you’—this is the Lord’s declaration—’plans for your welfare, not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.'” (29:11, HCSB)

Look first at 1:9; God is speaking to Jeremiah. Jeremiah was to be a prophet and this was proclaimed from the womb. Wow! But I know of many people out there who said that God told them when their son was in the womb that he would be a great minister and the son turned out to be a bum. Ponder that! Look at the verse in chapter 29. There are several things here, but one is the fact that God has plans for our welfare, not for our disaster. That plan was Jesus Christ. With Him and only through Him is there a future and a hope.
These verses are not proclamations that you will become rich, famous and successful (in the eyes of the world). Many have turned these verses into a self-proclaiming prophecy–a false prophecy I might add. If we really believe those verses, then it would be okay for God to plan a life of drudgery working as a hamburger flipper, or cleaning the aisles at a department store. Does He not know what we need? Does He not look to “give us a future and a hope”?The problem is that many Christians do not want to walk in agreement with the Holy Spirit.

Coffee Percs

by Ira Paine, Posted on

She inhaled the aromas as if it were roses.  It seemed that most elderly people she knew drew the breath of life itself from coffee.”
–Elmer Kelton

Sure glad you showed up pard for it’s right lonely at the homestead.  Yep, the missus has gone traipsin’ off to the Piney Woods area with the grandkids.  Seems she was needed.  Guess it’s good to be needed, but then it makes this ol’ fence post weather the storm alone.  She packed herself up and climbed aboard that wagon they drive like she was 25 instead of just havin’ her 68th birthday yesterday.  Quite a gal.
But here I go, mind driftin’ off and yur wantin’ a refill already.  Made it extra strong this morning, just because…  Remember that Scripture that went sorta like this–professin’ themselves wise they became idiots?  Let’s see, somewhere in the first chapter of Romans, if I recall right.  Well, awhile back I saw where “they” said that human language came from baboons.  And from some of the gibberish I’ve heard I’d have to agree.  But I was readin’ just yesterday that there is a court case happenin’ right now sayin’ that chimpanzees are humans.  Yep, they have the right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.  Lord, help us through the jungles!
‘nother cup?  My, friend, it must really be settlin’ that ol’ gizzard of yurs.  Comin’ right up; sure don’t want to leave yur cup go dry.  Ahhhhh, think ol’ Elmer had part of that right.  Coffee–the breath of life.  Say, I was told that this was my last Spring Break.  Think of that!  After 39 years, but one way to look at it is that from now on I’ll be on spring break.  What’s that?  Don’t you go gettin’ smart with me pard, I reckon I know I’m not a spring chicken.  More like a well-matured rooster.
Goodness, sorry pard.  This daylight savin’s time messes me up.  Sure wish they could leave it the way the good Lord intended.  Got to be a movin’ along and figure you do to–cup’s empty anyway.
I’ll stand by the kitchen door and make sure you check that cinch before mountin’ up.  Never know what might come yur way.

Echoes from the Campfire

by Ira Paine, Posted on

Happen you live long enough, you’ll learn that the only reason you need to do the right thing is ’cause it’s the right thing.  Don’t get no more complicated than that.”
–Ben Bridges  (Montana Gunsmoke)

“For this reason I will fence her in with thornbushes.  I will block her [trail] with a wall to make her lose her way.”
–Hosea 2:6 (NLT)

Echoes from the Campfire

by Ira Paine, Posted on

Respect begins with self-respect.”
–Louis L’Amour (The First Fast Draw)

“They have left the [trail] of truth, claiming that the resurrection of the dead has already occurred; in this way, they have turned some people away from the faith.”
–2 Timothy 2:18 (NLT)